Abstract
The research study focuses on connection between the type of attachment (level of anxiety and avoidance in a relationship) and drug addiction. We examine the type of attachment to mother and father in drug addicted patients and compare it with the type of attachment to mother and father in the respondents who are not addicted.
We have analysed a sample of 103 addicted patients undergoing treatment in a therapeutic community and 105 respondents from a comparative group. We used the tool of ECR – RS, self-assessment Questionnaire of Relationship Structures.
Preceding studies confirm that differences in the types of attachment are significantly connected with the differences in emotional regulation. Most addicted patients show the symptoms which result from disturbed ability to establish and maintain emotional balance in relationships.
In literature it is talked about addiction as an unsuccessful attempt to regulate emotions and effort to solve deficits in psychic structure. These deficits limit the capacity of addicted people to create close relationships and run them to substitute interpersonal relationships for chemical substances.
Results of our study indicate the connection between addiction to drugs and significantly higher level of anxiety and avoidance (lower level of security) in relationship to mother and father.